Exclusive Songwriter Contract

(Songwriter-for-Hire)
Music and Lyrics

Independent Songwriters and Composers are regularly hired for pay by a Commissioner to compose jingles, radio and television commercials, songs for singers, plays, movies etc.

This is an extensive eleven page, twenty-four legal clause music contract including but not limited to the following Clauses: confidentiality, assignment of copyright, composer/writer warranties of authorship, royalties, compensation, performance and broadcast rights, licensing and publishing rights, adaptation clause, reversion for non-publication, and arbitration.

This exclusive service music contract Agreement between the independent
Songwriter/Composer and the Commissioner is drafted in plain English that is easy to read and comprehend.

We regularly receive feedback that we have successfully drafted our music contracts to be as complete as possible for all legal situations. However, should you experience a unique personal situation requiring the drafting of a special clause, please contact us at your convenience. Otherwise, you may be obliged to find a local entertainment lawyer experienced in the music industry who will draft any and all other clauses for your Project’s unique situation or circumstance.

Our music contracts are based on the principles of contract law, are country neutral and may be used in Australia, Canada, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Sates or any country whose legal principles are based on the English or American Legal System.

Songwriter(s) Name: _______________________________________________
(Print Names)
Music by: ________________________________________________________
Lyrics by: ________________________________________________________
Composition Name: _______________________________________________
Composition Genre: _______________________________________________
(for band, singer, group, film, music video, stage production, game show, commercial, etc)
Commissioner(s) Name: ____________________________________________
Commissioner Company: ___________________________________________
Herein this Agreement is between the above named and below signed Commissioner(s) and/or the Commissioning/Publishing Company (herein called the “Commissioner”) and the above named and below signed Songwriter(s) (herein called the “Songwriter”).
HENCE, in consideration of the promises, and of the mutual undertakings herein contained, and for other good and valuable considerations, the above named and below signed Songwriter(s) and the above named and below signed Commissioner agree as follows:
1. The Commissioner hereby employs the Songwriter to render her/his services as a Songwriter and Composer and otherwise as may be hereinafter set forth. The Songwriter hereby accepts such employment and agrees to render such services “exclusively” for the Commissioner during the term hereof, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2. The Songwriter agrees to maintain the confidential nature of any and all matters relating to the commission herein and not at any time to take any unauthorized photographs, nor video, by any and all electronic or mechanical means, nor audio recording, by any and all electronic or mechanical means, nor to pass on nor to release to any person any information, photographs, videos, nor audio recordings nor things coming into her/his possession which relate to the commission of the song writing referred to herein.
4. The Songwriter hereby irrevocably and absolutely assigns, transfers, sets over, and grants to the Commissioner, her/his/its successors, and assigns each and every and all Rights and Interests of every kind, nature and description in and to the results and proceeds of Songwriter’s services hereunder, including, but not limited to the titles, words and lyrics, and music of any and all original arrangements of musical compositions in the public domain in any and all licenses relating thereto, together with all worldwide copyrights and renewals and extensions thereof, which musical works have been written, composed, created, or conceived, in whole or in part, by Songwriter alone or in collaboration with another or others, and which are now owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Songwriter, alone or with others, or as the employer or transferee, directly or indirectly, of the Songwriters or composition, and all worldwide Copyrights and . . . continued
9. The Commissioner may take such action as she/he/it deems necessary, either in the Songwriter’s name or in her/his/its own name, against any person to protect all Rights and Interests acquired by Commissioner hereunder. The Songwriter will, at Commissioner’s request, cooperate fully with the Commissioner in any controversy that may arise or litigation that may be brought concerning the Commissioner’s Rights and Interests obtained hereunder. The Commissioner shall have the Right to, in her/his/its absolute discretion, to employ legal counsel and to institute or defend any action . . . continued